The Licensing Plate

18 Olympians suing Samsung over Facebook app

Eighteen Olympians, including swimming greats Mark Spitz and Janet Evans, and diver Greg Louganis, have sued Samsung Corp. over a Facebook app they allege misuses their names and images.

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, the athletes object to the Samsung Olympic Genome Project, which shows Facebook users how they are connected to famous Olympians.

Tiger Woods Signs Rolex Endorsement Deal

The arrangement with the watchmaker comes after a slew of sponsors, such as AT&T, Tag Heuer and Gillette, ended their relationships with the golfer following an infidelity scandal.

The Hollywood Reporter (full story)

The Marketing of Moore Is a Team Challenge

In May, Moore became the first female basketball player to sign an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand, the popular sneaker company owned by Nike that is centered on Michael Jordan.

The brand has deals with some of the best basketball players in the world, including Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony, as well as with baseball players like Derek Jeter and C. C. Sabathia…

The New York Times (full story)

World Cup Loss May Cost U.S. Players $10 Million in Endorsements

The U.S. women’s soccer team might have just left $10 million in endorsements on the table after Sunday’s shocking loss to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For the moment, anyway.

AdAge (full story)

Gilbert Arenas ‘Basketball Wives’ Lawsuit: Breaking Down The Claims For Relief

The VH1 reality series Basketball Wives has stirred up a fair bit of controversy not only for the actions of the women involved, but also through a variety of lawsuits aimed at preventing some women from participating. Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh have sued or threatened to sue to prevent their ex’s from taking part in the show. This past week, Gilbert Arenas joined the fray as he filed suit against his ex-girlfriend Laura Govan and the production company responsible for the show. While the whole situation seems fairly ridiculous, Arenas’ lawsuit (PDF) could be the tipping point in ending the show.

SB Nation (full story)

NBA Removes Player Images from Digital Properties

Since the National Basketball Association locked out its players earlier this month, news of the labor dispute has dominated NBA.com and official team websites. But one crucial thing has gone missing: the players themselves.

The league removed all images and videos of current players from its digital properties and its television network, NBA TV, after the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expired at the start of the month.

The Wall Street Journal (full story)

Nike re-signs Philadelphia QB Michael Vick to endorsement deal

Nike re-signed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick to an endorsement deal Friday, nearly four years after dropping him amid his legal troubles.

Nike, which signed Vick as a rookie in 2001, terminated his contract in August 2007 after he filed a plea agreement admitting his involvement in a dogfighting ring. Vick spent 21 months in prison.

SI (full story)

Trademark dispute over groundhog Punxsutawney Phil settled

The trademark owners of the world’s most famous groundhog said on Wednesday they reached a settlement with a television network that used images of Punxsutawney Phil and Gobbler’s Knob in a Super Bowl ad.

Reuters (full story)

Tiger Woods to pitch heat rub in Japan

Tiger Woods has been hired as a pitchman for a Japanese heat rub used to relieve muscle and joint pain.

“Kowa Company Ltd. is pleased to announce the use of Tiger Woods as the image character of Antiphlogistic Analgetic Vantelin Kowa series,” the Nagoya-based company said in a press release.

Golf.com (full story)

NBA Star Chris Bosh Sued Over VH1′s ‘Basketball Wives’

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh is being countersued by the mother of his child for getting in the way of a starring role on VH1‘s reality show Basketball Wives.

The Hollywood Reporter (full story)

NFL investigating trademark infringement

The NFL is investigating possible trademark infringement involving five players who appeared in an advertisement for a party at a Miami Beach nightclub.

The Wall Street Journal (full story)

NBC Wins TV Rights to Next Four Olympics

NBC extended its Olympic reign until 2020 as Comcast, its parent company, agreed Tuesday to acquire the rights to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia; the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro; and the next two Olympics at unspecified cities.

The New York Times (full story)

MSG Builds Bridges With First Marquee Partner, JPMorgan Chase

As MSG begins renovations, now valued above the already estimated cost of $850 million, it has turned to its signature partners, Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola Co. and Anheuser-Bush, to associate their brands with new structures throughout the old stadium.

AdAge (full story)

Fox Kicks Off Presentations in Olympics TV Rights Bidding Process

Fox on Monday kicked off the presentations by U.S. bidders for the TV rights to future Olympics with a two-hour meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland with about 18 representatives and observers of the International Olympic Committee and U.S. Olympic Committee.

The Hollywood Reporter (full story)

Coca-Cola launches Olympic Torch Relay campaign with Dizzee Rascal

Coca-Cola launched its London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay nomination campaign to find the UK’s ‘Future Flames’ yesterday, with a live music event at Westfield shopping centre in West London.

MusicWeek (full story)

(UK) High Court Upholds Married British Soccer Player’s Right to Privacy Over ‘Big Brother’ Affair

Despite being publicly named in British parliament, by 75,000 Twitter users and on innumerable websites, the British High Court has refused to lift the super injunction on a married British soccer player who has sought legal protection to cover up an affair.

The Hollywood Reporter (full story)

UK sportsman asks Twitter for details of users

Lawyers representing a British soccer player have asked Twitter via a London court for information about the users of the website who published details of his private life.

Reuters (full story)

Footballer’s Twitter disclosure order prompts online action

The player, who an injunction says can only be identified as CTB, is taking action against ex-Big Brother star Imogen Thomas and the Sun newspaper.  He has now obtained a High Court order asking Twitter to reveal details of users who had revealed his identity.  Twitter has not commented but hundreds of users have repeated his name online.

BBC (full story)

Judge Tosses College Athletes’ Claims Against EA Sport…Suit Continues Against NCAA and CLC

A federal judge on Monday threw out former college athletes’ claims against EA Sports, regarding the use of their likeness in past versions of NCAA Football and the now canceled NCAA Basketball. While the ruling clears Electronic Arts in a legal sense, the claims still will proceed against the NCAA and the Collegiate Licensing Company, and the outcome still could have ramifications for the popular sports video game.

Kotaku (full story)

IMG, WPP to Provide Licensing Deals to WPP Clients

IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion, and media group, is partnering with WPP to provide licensing services to clients from the marketing communications holding company.

Adweek (full story)